MONS, Belgium - Today, the U.S. President nominated U.S. Air Force General Tod D. Wolters for appointment to the grade of general while serving as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command.

NATO has also agreed to appoint General Wolters as Supreme Allied Commander Europe. If confirmed by the Senate, General Wolters will succeed U.S. Army General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, who has held the position since May 3, 2016.

General Wolters is currently serving as Commander, Allied Air Command; Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, headquartered at RamsteinAir Base, Germany; and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre at Kalkar, Germany. In this position, he is responsible for the air and missile defence of 29 NATO Alliance member nations while commanding U.S. airpower across 104 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is responsible, for the overall direction and conduct of global military operations for NATO. During his tenure, General Scaparrotti's responsibilities included oversight of NATO operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iraq and implementation of Warsaw and Brussels Summit deliverables ensuring the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture remains credible, coherent and resilient and that the Alliance continues to safeguard the freedom and security of all Allies. He was also instrumental in facilitating military-to-military communications with General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Minister of Defence, to promote military predictability and transparency.

The SACEUR position is held by a United States Flag or General officer, who also serves as Commander U.S. European Command. His command is exercised from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

The position was established in 1951 when General Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first SACEUR. If confirmed, General Wolters will be the nineteenth officer to hold this prestigious post.

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office